Hawthorn has welcomed a return to prime time footy as part of a bumper 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture unveiled on Thursday afternoon.

The Hawks will feature under lights nine times in the first 15 weeks of the season, headlined by a Round 1 Friday night home blockbuster against Essendon at the MCG.

The clash with the Bombers is one of six massive home MCG matches for the brown and gold, with Hawthorn to host games against Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions at the home of footy.

The Hawks are also set to make their long-awaited return under lights in Launceston for the first time since 2018, when they host the GIANTS at UTAS Stadium on Saturday evening in Round 3, before welcoming the Crows to Tasmania on Friday night in Round 14.

Notably, Hawthorn’s Round 8 fixture has been confirmed as the club’s centenary celebration game, with the Hawks to commemorate 100 years of existence in the VFL/AFL in a Sunday afternoon clash at MCG against Richmond, whom the club first met in its inaugural match in the VFL in 1925.

Hawthorn members and fans will be given the opportunity to pay their respects during the AFL’s ANZAC Appeal Round when the club hosts West Coast at Marvel Stadium in Round 7, while a date with the reigning premier awaits in Round 11 when the Hawks host the Lions for a twilight blockbuster at the MCG.

With times to be confirmed, the Hawks will host some big opponents in the back half of the season, with home MCG games against Carlton in Round 20, Collingwood in Round 22 and Melbourne in Round 23.

Among the notable away games include Hawthorn’s traditional Easter Monday clash against Geelong in Round 6, a trip to Darwin to open Sir Doug Nicholls Round against the Gold Coast SUNS on Thursday night in Round 10, and an Elimination final rematch against the Western Bulldogs in Round 13 in prime time.

For the Hawthorn faithful outside of Victoria, there are multiple opportunities to catch the brown and gold in action around the country, including the previously announced Opening Round fixture in Sydney against the Swans, twice in Adelaide (Gather Round & Round 21), a Round 18 clash against Fremantle in WA and for the first time since 2019, the Hawks will take on the Lions in Brisbane (Round 24).

Hawthorn Chief Executive Officer Ash Klein welcomed the club’s blockbuster 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture.

“Our 2025 fixture is one that rewards our loyal members and fans and puts our club back in the spotlight with a great balance of blockbuster, prime time matches, as well as family-friendly timeslots,” Klein said.

“Given the hype and excitement generated by our 2024 Hawks, it is fitting that we welcome a well-deserved nine games under lights across the first 15 weeks of the season, giving the brown and gold faithful the chance to taste the ecstasy of night footy once again.

“Playing under lights again at our home-away-from-home in Launceston is something we’re incredibly excited about in our 25^th celebratory season in Tasmania, with some huge night games at UTAS Stadium, where we enjoyed a 4-0 record last year. 

“Meantime, a massive Sunday afternoon awaits in Round 8, with the club to host its centenary celebration game against Richmond. This will be a historic occasion with the entire Hawthorn family invited – celebrating 100 years since playing the very first match of this proud club.

“As always, members receive the best access to every game, and season 2025 will be no different. We are incredibly grateful to those who have already signed up, and we encourage those who haven’t to jump on board for what’s going to be a year to remember.”

HAWTHORN'S 2025 TOYOTA AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON FIXTURE